Three Richmond Hill High School baseball standouts will take their talents to the college level after each signed a letter of intent during a ceremony Wednesday at the school’s media center.
Wildcat pitchers Billy Kilmer and Kevin Matthews will play at Georgia State College and University of Virginia, respectively, while shortstop Alex Real is bound for Wingate College.
The signings show what hard work and dedication will do, first-year coach Stacy Bennett said.
“This is what happens when you work hard and follow your dreams,” he said. “These guys are all great leaders. They’ve really shown a great work ethic to our younger guys and are setting the foundation for the future of our program.”
Kilmer, a lefthander, had 66 strikeouts in 49.3 innings last season, posting a 4-2 record and a 2.27 earned run average along the way.
He said signing with GCSU lifted a "huge weight" off his shoulders.
“(Signing is) the culmination of all baseball I’ve played throughout the years and all the hard work that’s gone into it,” he said.
Matthews, also a lefthander, was 5-2 with 87 strikeouts in 46.3 innings. He had an ERA of 1.81.
Matthews said he will attempt to pitch his way into the Cavalier rotation during fall baseball in 2011.
"I'm looking forward to the challenge," he said. "I'm going to try to work my way into the rotation. I know hard work pays off, so I'm going to be working hard."
Real said he chose Wingate because coaches there told him he'd have the opportunity to play as a freshman.
"I've wanted to do this my whole life," he said. "(Signing early) motivates me and makes me want to work harder to get there."
The three players have one more season with Richmond HIll, a year they say could be special.
"We're going to work hard to try and get a state title," Real said.
Hitting stats were unavailable.
Wildcat pitchers Billy Kilmer and Kevin Matthews will play at Georgia State College and University of Virginia, respectively, while shortstop Alex Real is bound for Wingate College.
The signings show what hard work and dedication will do, first-year coach Stacy Bennett said.
“This is what happens when you work hard and follow your dreams,” he said. “These guys are all great leaders. They’ve really shown a great work ethic to our younger guys and are setting the foundation for the future of our program.”
Kilmer, a lefthander, had 66 strikeouts in 49.3 innings last season, posting a 4-2 record and a 2.27 earned run average along the way.
He said signing with GCSU lifted a "huge weight" off his shoulders.
“(Signing is) the culmination of all baseball I’ve played throughout the years and all the hard work that’s gone into it,” he said.
Matthews, also a lefthander, was 5-2 with 87 strikeouts in 46.3 innings. He had an ERA of 1.81.
Matthews said he will attempt to pitch his way into the Cavalier rotation during fall baseball in 2011.
"I'm looking forward to the challenge," he said. "I'm going to try to work my way into the rotation. I know hard work pays off, so I'm going to be working hard."
Real said he chose Wingate because coaches there told him he'd have the opportunity to play as a freshman.
"I've wanted to do this my whole life," he said. "(Signing early) motivates me and makes me want to work harder to get there."
The three players have one more season with Richmond HIll, a year they say could be special.
"We're going to work hard to try and get a state title," Real said.
Hitting stats were unavailable.